Co-Producing Outcomes Reviews: Putting People at the Centre of Quality
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Outcomes reviews should be more than administrative checkpoints. When done well, they become powerful conversations that help people shape their future, influence their support and celebrate progress. Co-production sits at the heart of this. For further context, you may also find value in Person-Centred Care and Outcomes & Quality of Life.
This article outlines how supported living providers can embed co-production into outcomes reviews — making them meaningful for people, useful for teams and credible for regulators and commissioners.
1. Start with what matters to the person
Traditional reviews often follow a rigid template. Co-productive reviews begin with a conversation: “What is important to you right now?” This ensures the person’s voice drives the agenda rather than organisational priorities.
Tools such as “what’s working / what’s not working”, mind maps and strengths-based prompts help create a shared picture of the person’s life, preferences and goals. These visuals are especially valuable for people who communicate non-verbally.
2. Prepare support tools and adaptations
Genuine co-production requires the right communication environment. Providers should prepare:
- easy-read review packs
- visual options or choice boards
- symbols or communication aids
- timelines showing progress
- photos or short clips showing achievements
These tools strengthen engagement and give the person more control over how they express their views.
3. Make reviews collaborative, not staff-led
Instead of discussing the person as a “subject”, reviews should feel like a shared planning session. Effective approaches include:
- inviting the person to lead parts of the meeting
- encouraging family or advocates to contribute
- using open questions rather than closed prompts
- capturing the person’s exact words where possible
This demonstrates to CQC and commissioners that the service fosters autonomy and inclusion.
4. Link goals to measurable, meaningful outcomes
Co-produced goals are more motivating and more relevant. Providers should ensure outcomes meet three criteria:
- Person-led – emerging from the person’s own aspirations
- Specific – describing what success looks like
- Measurable – able to be evidenced in daily notes or progress charts
Examples include increasing confidence using public transport, reducing prompts during morning routines, or attending weekly community groups.
5. Use data to inform the conversation — not dominate it
Data brings structure, but co-production ensures humanity. Providers should weave together:
- quantitative evidence (e.g., reduction in prompts, participation frequency)
- qualitative accounts from the person and staff
- observations from family or external professionals
- reflections from the person on what they want next
Evidence supports the conversation rather than overshadowing it.
6. Agree clear next steps — co-owned by the person
A strong review ends with shared commitments. People should contribute to decisions about:
- what they want to try next
- what they want more control over
- skills they want to build
- positive risks they want to explore safely
- what support needs adjusting
Recording these in the person’s own words strengthens person-centred planning and CQC evidence.
7. Demonstrate the “golden thread” for regulators
CQC increasingly looks for clear alignment between outcomes, daily practice and progress. Co-production strengthens this thread by showing:
- the person helped set their own goals
- staff understand those goals and support them daily
- reviews reflect real changes in the person’s life
This links directly to quality statements around choice, control and outcomes.
Final thought
Co-produced outcomes reviews embody the values of supported living. They create meaningful, person-led plans and provide strong evidence of quality, rights and autonomy. Most importantly, they help people live the life they choose — with support that adapts as they grow.
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